4.1 Flashcards
Give a definition, approximate age, 3 examples and location in UK of igneous rocks
definition: Igneous rock (derived from the Latin word ignis meaning fire), or magmatic rock, is one of the three main rock types, the others being sedimentary and metamorphic. Igneous rock is formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. approx age: 600 million years old examples: granite, basalt, pumice location in the uk: •Gabbro hills in the Isle of Skye •Lava flow on the Isle of Staffa •Cliffs along the edge of the Whin Sill, •Pillow Lava in Cornwall •Granite tor, Dartmoor •Basalt dyke, Isle of Man
Give a definition, approximate age, 3 examples and location in UK of sedimentary rocks
Definition:
Rock that has formed through the deposition and solidification of sediment, especially sediment transported by water
aprox age:
1 million years +
examples: sandstone, limestone, slate
location:
•Sandstone hills in the northwest Highlands
•Sandstone layers folded to form an anticline, SW Wales.
•Conglomerate (pebbly layer) in raised beach deposit, Cornwall
•Limestone layers slipping down over soft mudstone layers beneath, Dorset
•Mudstone cliffs on the Yorkshire coast
•Limestone cliffs in Derbyshire
•Chalk cliffs on the Sussex coast
Compare metamorphic and igneous rock
igneous rock is formed when magma cools down and solidifies while metamorphic rock is the result of extreme heat and pressure being pressed upon a sedimentary rock, changing or chemically altering the minerals contained. due to this, the crystal structures contained within an igneous rock are formed as is solidifies, while the crystal structures in a metamorphic rock are only altered slightly from their previous scructures (sedimentary fragments, crystals etc)
Compare the formation and characteristics of granite and carboniferous limestone
granite is formed from the slow crystallisation of magma beneath the earths surface, this means that granite is made up of crystal structures which can be seen by the naked eye. carboniferous limestone, however, is made from the shells and hard parts of millions of sea creatures encased in a carbonate mud. both granite and carboniferous limestone are hard rocks, however, carboniferous limestone can have joints which make it in certain places less resistant to erosion.
Compare the formation and characteristics of chalk and slate
chalk is formed from the dead and compressed remains if microscopic creatures called coccoliths, over millions of years layer upon layer of these creatures was formed and compressed by overlying sediments. Slate is a metamorphic rock comprised of either clay or volcanic ash which has been formed through low-grade regional metamorphism. chalk is a white, soft rock which erodes easily while slate is a gray, hard rock which is quite resistant to erosion.
Explain when and how active volcanoes shaped the uplands of the UK
the uplands of the uk are made up of lots of igneous and metamorphic rock, this is rock that is formed by volcanoes and magma
Explain how glacial erosion and deposition shaped the UK uplands
glaciers have shaped the uk uplands with U shaped valleys and glacial till which is left by glacial deposition
Explain when and how sedimentary rock was formed across the UK Lowlands
many millions of years ago, the lowlands of the uk were covered with a shallow ocean which was teeming with life, this meant that there was lots of sediment being deposited by dead creatures. over millions of years, layers upon layers of this sediment were formed, compacting down and eventually making the sedimentary rock which we rocognise today
Explain how glacial deposition shaped the UK Lowlands
glacial deposition shaped the uk lowlands with features such as drumlins and moraines
Explain how scarp and vale topography forms in the UK Lowlands
scarp and vale topography forms from glacial deposition, leaving large heaps of sediment
